What was Washington, D.C. like in the 1960s? Take a look at our great posts with stories, people, photos, and history about the District from the sixties.
Before L’Enfant Plaza’s Brutalist towers, Southwest DC was a thriving neighborhood. We dug into the Evening Star archives to trace the full story, from the 1954 demolition to the Fedlandia proposals reshaping the area today.
Explore the legacy of Massimo Vignelli, the visionary designer behind the Washington Metro’s iconic look. Discover how his philosophy of simplicity and functionality shaped the visual identity of D.C.’s public transit system.
Uncover the forgotten history of Braddock’s Rock – a 7-foot Potomac landmark from Colonial America that was conquered by Washington D.C.’s urban expansion only to vanish underground. Rediscover this site tied to key figures like George Washington and Edward Braddock which blazed the trail for the future capital’s surveyed beginnings despite modern obscurity.
The Silver Sightseer streetcar gave cool, narrated tours of Washington D.C.’s famous landmarks in the late 1950s. Read about this one-of-a-kind, air-conditioned trolley that was specially decorated before it tragically burned down years later when the streetcar system closed.
In June 1966, the Pagans and the Avengers — two rival outlaw motorcycle clubs — rumbled in broad daylight at the Lee Harrison Shopping Center parking lot in Arlington. Fifty bikers, tire irons, switchblades, guns. The Washington Post covered it for days. Eleven men were convicted of public fighting.
Discover the real-life inspiration for St. Elmo’s Bar from the iconic 1985 movie. Georgetown’s The Tombs played a starring role in shaping this classic spot.
When was Dulles Airport built? Unveiled in 1962, discover its visionary design and transformative influence on Washington D.C.’s landscape.
Take a look at a cool old photo of Union Station in Washington, D.C. taken by Thomas O’Halloran on August 14, 1963. Learn more about the historical context of the photo including the Great Train Robbery, James Meredith’s graduation, and the March on Washington.
The Willard Hotel closed without warning in 1968 and sat empty for 18 years. How a $73 million renovation saved one of Washington’s most historic buildings.
Take a journey back in time to 1964 with this photo of Rosslyn, DC, taken from Georgetown. Get a glimpse of what the city looked like over half a century ago.
